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Year: 2017

Isn’t it surprising that the city of art and startling food trends is rapidly becoming the vegan capital of the world? More and more people in Melbourne are embracing vegan diet—with a wave of enthusiasm for the benefits to animals, the environment and people themselves. From celebs turning vegan, to popularity on social media beset with tempting meals from the fit, there is a re-branding of veganism as chic and healthy.

Why do people choose a vegan lifestyle?

The Australians transitioning to vegan diets relinquish animal products for moral reasons, however for some, health and fitness benefits are the primary motives. These reasons not only set a trend for plant-based eating, but also give self-bolstering vegan movement a much-needed push. With an increasing responsiveness for vegan lifestyle on web, more Aussies are quitting animal products and sharing information within their social circles.

As part of a movement that has gained a rapid momentum, vegan restaurants are spreading across the city like wildfire. Australia is said to be the third fastest-growing vegan market in the world, following UAE and China.

It’s certainly chic. If you really want to be cool in Melbourne, you’ve got to be vegan. Almost, 9.8 million Aussie adults claim that they’re eating less meat lately. In Melbourne, vegans can find restaurants, clothing and other products that suit their vegan dietary and lifestyle requirements. The Australian city is home to vegan dessert bars, becoming more popular than McDonald’s. A change that is amazing considering the legendary love for Macca’s in Australia, the love is so profound that they even have their own name for the international chain. Several new vegan restaurants coming up in Melbourne have further proved the trend is a budding movement.

Melbourne is a cosmopolitan metropolis with a very large youth population. Vegan food not only entices vegans but also people who are experimental with food and those who have ethical reasons to quit meat and dairy products. Aussies believe that it’s not just about what you eat—it’s about choosing empathy over brutality.

I believe in a world devoid of isms. Most conflict we see today, political or religious are characterized by isms that have polarized the masses. Yet, Veganism is the one movement that I believe is good for humans, animals and the planet earth in totality. Veganism is a lifestyle which rules out all sorts of exploitation of animals for food or any other purpose. A vegan is someone who has given over to a veggie-based diet. This might sound dreary but actually it is scrumptious and is also the healthiest diet on earth.

Right from the ‘raw food vegans’ to ‘junk food vegans’, there are different versions of veganism to suit the masses. Yet one thing all vegans have in common is a diet excluding animal foods like meat, fish, insects, dairy products, eggs and honey. Vegans also avoid using animal products like leather and wool.

So what do vegans eat?

For all non-vegans – you’ll stumble on a whole new world of lip-smacking foods opening up to you. A vegan diet includes all varieties of fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, seeds, pulses and beans – which can be prepared in umpteen combinations so that you’re never bored. Be it a cake, curry, burgers or pizzas, all your relished dishes are apt for a vegan diet, if they’re prepared using plant-based ingredients.

Besides, vegans avert mistreating the animals for any purpose, compassion being a major reason many opt for a vegan lifestyle. The idea of being a vegan is worthier for the environment and it has become a matter of wonted wisdom.

Over half of the world’s population does not have access to clean water. Livestock is one of the largest polluters of clean water. In fact, the pace at which we are breeding animals for food is a threat to the planet. Cutting back on just one kg meat saves over 14,000 liters of water. Moreover, substituting a roasted chicken with a rich veggie or bean stew (having equal protein levels) saves over 4,2500 liters of water.

Looming animal’s exploitation is not the only reason for adapting a vegan lifestyle. Increasingly, people are becoming vegan owing to the health benefits: glowing skin, boosted energy, and eternal youthfulness are some of the affirmations from the passionate plant eaters.

The trend of dropping meat consumption in the diet has surfaced new prospects to target vegetarians, vegans, non-meat eaters and non red-meat eaters. At present, the largest vegan food labeling market is the United States ($1.76 billion), followed by Germany ($615 million), Britain ($508 million) and Australia ($ 136 million).
Statistics from Euro monitor International, a popular market researcher, state that over the past few years the amount of veggie and vegan foods sold in Australia has surged. Between 2012 and 2017, the number of Australian adults sticking to almost a vegetarian diet has risen from 1.7 million people (or 9.7% of the population) to almost 2.1 million (11.2%).

When people make a conscious choice to not exploit animals, it changes the collective perspective of the society as a whole. We must ask ourselves that when it is possible to live a life where we can eat healthy and delicious food, achieve better health, leave a minor carbon footprint and avoid exploiting other creatures – then why don’t we?